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Tim Cummiskey (left)
is one of our finest local Ohio jazz guitarists and he
always takes full advantage of putting a gig together
with the great Jack Wilkins (right) whenever he
comes to town for the Denison Jazz Festival.
Here they are playing at the Worthington Inn on
Friday night, Oct 7th. Pictured with them are Jim
Rupp on drums and Doug Richeson on
bass. |
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Before the "big"
stars come in our local "professors" of jazz
guitar put on several great clinics on Saturday, Oct
8th. Here they all are backstage: (left to
right)
Tom Carroll - guitar - Denison
U
Gui Rmonko - drums - Denison U
Stan Smith - guitar - Capitol U
Doug Richeson - bass - Denison U
Tim Cummiskey - guitar - The Ohio State U
Chris Buzzelli - guitar - Bowling Green |
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Tim Cummiskey, Chris
Buzzelli, and Doug Richeson run one of the
clinics. |
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Then the grand masters show
up and put on a clinic of their own.. Jack
Wilkins (left) and Gene Bertoncinni were absolutely
amazing.. |
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Then, after we all go to
some quaint little eatery in downtown Granville for
dinner, we converge back at the University for the
evening concert.. I thought they were magnificent
in the afternoon - they had just been toying with
us.. Here they are feeding off each other's lines,
licks, and talents.. Simply brilliant. |
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Tom Carroll joined
them on stage for a couple tunes. He's no slouch,
either.. |
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As it turns out, Jack
Wilkins has many "gears." One where
he's relaxed and just laying back with folks and
strumming a couple tunes. Then, he gets a tad more
serious when he plays with other guitarists. THEN,
he's got a high gear when it's just him.
There's a transformation that appears right before our
eyes and ears as he "takes" center stage
alone. I don't mean to be derogatory by saying
this, but there is such a difference in his playing that
it was like the real Jack Wilkins had been in a guitar
case someplace all day. He is simply the
best (silky smooth, complex and quick) plectrum jazz
guitarist I've ever heard live... (I wish I
had some video or audio clips of this performance to
share with you - but, believe me - I'm trying to find
some...) |
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Gene Bertoncinni has
about the same performance "gear ratio."
However, Gene doesn't aim at speed... He aims at blowin'
our minds with the most outrageously beautiful chords,
progressions and lines ever drawn out of a standard
tuned 6 string guitar. Though I personally don't
always fully understand where he is going - I sit in total awe
of his mastery at work.. He's a true treasure
to the history of jazz. |
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Gene and Jack after the
concert. |
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Tom joins Gene and Jack for
a photo op... Thanks, Tom, for all the work in
putting together the Annual Denison University Jazz
Guitar Festival... |
| Above pictures courtesy of Arnie Alpert
and Brian Kelly. |
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